Gov. DeSantis touts Florida, water quality in Fort Pierce at budget signing

Gov. Ron DeSantis came to the Pelican Yacht Club on Thursday to sign the state budget − which included $100 million for the Indian River Lagoon − and talk about his presidential campaign, on the edge of the waterway. 

Lake Okeechobee almost completely covered in algae, sparking summer concerns

'It's very, very concerning that we're already into this, and it's only the beginning of June,' Mark Perry says.

‘It’s devastating’: Florida questioning Michael Mota after resort’s protected mangrove trees chopped down

“It’s devastating,” said Loraé T. Simpson, the director of scientific research and conservation, at the Florida Oceanographic Society. 

June 2023 Newsletter

June 2023 Newsletter

Fertilizer Fight: 55 groups pen letter to governor to veto fertilizer study, protect water

Nitrogen and Phosphorous can make your lawn beautiful, but they also feed blue-green algae and kill seagrass, critical to marine life in our waterways. Environmental groups want the governor to veto a plan they say will hurt local ecosystems.

3D-printed concrete reef placed in Florida Oceanographic Society's Gamefish Lagoon

Florida’s coral reefs have been having a tough time in nature, so a Treasure Coast business has teamed up with a well-known environmental group to see if their man-made concept of a 3D-printed reef can help.

Toxic algae blooms reported in Port Mayaca

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reported a 'moderate' level of toxic algae blooms in Martin County over the weekend.

Water samples from two counties show blue-green algae has returned to Lake Okeechobee

Blue-green algae is showing up yet again in Lake Okeechobee. Samples taken from lake water in two counties this week showed the presence of the harmful bacteria.

May Newsletter

May 2023 Newsletter

NASA program aims to help fix lagoon woes. What you need to know.

Imagine seagrass in the Banana River as thick as the shag carpet that covered the floors of Brevard County homes at the height of the space race.

U.S. Rep. Brian Mast 'highly skeptical' as new Lake Okeechobee water release schedule drags on

"Well, are big question is, why now? Why not before when we were doing all this review?" Perry asked. "Now this is going to delay the implementation of this new schedule for the lake."

Blue-green algae presence at Lake Okeechobee causing concern on Treasure Coast

“It’ll continue to bloom as long as it has those right conditions, the nutrients, the sunlight," said Executive Director of Florida Oceanographic Society Mark Perry. "Because, we know last year at the end of the year we had a lot of rainfall due to hurricane Ian so all of that nutrients entered the lake."

Lake O discharges to Stuart will stop April 15, will continue for Caloosahatchee River

Lake Okeechobee discharges to the St. Lucie River will stop April 15, but they will continue to the Caloosahatchee River, the Army Corps of Engineers announced Friday.

Manatee sighting network in Alachua County kept track of the charismatic mammal at a time of statewide concern

Zack Jud, who has a doctorate in biology from Florida International University, is the director of education for the Florida Oceanographic Society. His focus is more on game fish, but he said manatees have become crucial to overall ecosystem health.

Congressman Brian Mast reintroduces 3 bills to protect Lake Okeechobee

The discharges from Lake Okeechobee through the Port Mayaca and St. Lucie Lock and Dams continues to anger Congressman Brian Mast - as well as environmental organizations in the region.

April 2023 Newsletter

Celebrate Earth Month with Florida Oceanographic Society

Calls to limit discharges from Lake Okeechobee into St. Lucie Inlet

An ongoing battle on the Treasure Coast continues as residents fight for more protection for the St. Lucie Estuary.

Bathtub Reef Beach getting seawall in $5.5 million Martin County resiliency project

A $5.5 million project designed to ease weather impacts on Bathtub Reef Beach and MacArthur Boulevard is a focal point in the county’s effort to address climate change and sea-level rise.

'Stop the current discharges': Lake Okeechobee water release plan changing

There has been a change to the Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual or LOSOM schedule, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Should Tampa dye the Hillsborough River green for St. Patrick’s Day? A petition says no.

The movement has garnered more than 2,000 supporters in three days. The city maintains the dye is harmless.

Too much polluted agricultural water threatens Everglades' engineered wetlands, study says

Too much polluted agricultural water threatens Everglades' engineered wetlands, study says.

Lake Okeechobee discharges resume; Army Corps says algae controlled

Lake Okeechobee discharges resume; Army Corps says algae controlled

Lake Okeechobee discharges to St. Lucie River halted after algae found in water

Lake Okeechobee discharges to St. Lucie River halted after algae found in water.

March 2023 Newsletter

Celebrate Seagrass Month with Florida Oceanographic Society!

Port Mayaca Lock and Dam shutting down in response to toxic algae photos

The U.S Army Corps of Engineers is adjusting its water release schedule at the Port Mayaca Lock and Dam (S-308) in Martin County after receiving aerial images showing a thin ribbon of algal mass moving towards the gate Monday.

'Surprised to see it this early': Toxic blue-green algae found in Lake Okeechobee during winter

Environmentalists are keeping an eye on local waterways now that harmful blue green algal toxins have been spotted in Lake Okeechobee, especially in parts of Martin County.

Super Clams Save the Day

New hope for combating pollution in the Indian River Lagoon comes in the form of “super clams”.

February 2023 Newsletter

Celebrate Gamefish Month at Florida Oceanographic

Environmentalists hopeful Herbert Hoover Dike repairs will bring improved water quality for Treasure Coast

While the completion of the rehab at the Herbert Hoover Dike brings peace of mind to thousands of residents around the lake, there's also hope for some environmental relief on the Treasure Coast. But that could still be months away.

Discharges from Lake Okeechobee to head to St. Lucie River

The US Army Corps of Engineers announced that discharges from Lake Okeechobee will be heading to the St. Lucie River, after the action was recommended by the South Florida Water Management District.